10 Tips for Mermaid Tank Time!
While this summer hasn’t looked like any other, the mermaid performance community has gotten creative in an effort to make entertainment safe and fun! The beautifully talented professional merfolk performers Circus Siren Pod (CSP) have been bringing their traveling mermaid tanks on tour to give underwater models and photographers the unique opportunity to try out their custom made, mid sized, acrylic traveling show tank. This opportunity is like no other! You get the chance to practice your skills without the pressure of a live performance. Not only that, it offers the chance to learn from pro mermaids that perform on the regular! Booking tank time is worth every penny spent and is a great way to invest in furthering your skills as an underwater performer.
With a few opportunities left to try out Frigate, I want to share a few tips I have picked up along the way both in Frigate and other mermaid tank experiences to help make your experience run smoothly. Check out my top 10 tips below!
Stay organized. You only have 30 to 45 min to don your tail and make beautiful underwater magic. Having everything on and ready BEFORE you get to the site is really helpful, that way you can spend the most time in the water!
Relax. Your whole experience is going to be better for you and your photographer if you slow down. Your breath hold will be better, your photos will be crisper, and you’ll have much more fun if you are present in the moment.
Be present. It isn’t everyday that most of us get to swim in such a comfortable and professional performance tank! Take this 30 min to be mindful and grateful for this opportunity. Enjoy the experience of making underwater art!
Listen. The Circus Siren Pod knows their tanks and are known for underwater performance. They will give you tips and tricks along the way to help you make the best of your tank experience. Listen to what they have to say, you will gain valuable experience!
Hold on. I’ve never met a pro mer that didn’t anchor themselves on the glass of their tank to pose, wave, blow kisses, or even do flips at some point. Done gracefully, it is totally OK to anchor yourself by holding the glass.
Avoid makeup, glitter, and lotion. If you can seal the makeup and you KNOW it won’t come off, you’re golden. The problem is that if these items come off of your body, all that will happen is you will fog the water for your pictures and clog the filters. No one wants that.
Try something new. Now is your chance to get the experience of being in a mermaid tank. Don’t be afraid to try something you wouldn’t usually. Most of the time you won’t have an audience other than the CSP team and your photographer, so now is a good time to make mistakes! As long as you are being safe, go for it!
Bring props. Flowy material, waterproof toys, or even original outfits can make really unique and interesting photos that make it more fun for you and your audience. It will also set you apart from other mermaid photos!
Record. Set your phone on a tripod to record while you are in the tank for the whole time. This will show you your movement patterns and give you invaluable feedback for what you can work on in the future to improve your underwater performance.
Forgive yourself. You are inevitably going to get photos and video that you aren’t going to like. Maybe you were looking the wrong way, the costume might have moved out of place, you made a funny face, or your pose was awkward. That is OK. Especially if you don’t have a lot of experience. Just be grateful for this really unique opportunity, take the feedback, and marvel at the beautiful art you made! If you are able, book another session to give it another spin! Your second run will almost certainly be easier.
While there can be so much to think about when considering more regular mermaid tank performances, for a modeling session in tank Frigate, these tips will help make your time fun as well as help you get the best possible photos! Most importantly have fun! -Mermaid Brizo
Check out these opportunities to swim in the CSP tank below. Don’t hesitate, spots fill up quickly!
August 22-23, 2020 Richmond, VA
All photos in this blog post credit to KJ Knutsen Photography